The Veteran's left and right knee chondromalacia patella with patellar tendonitis were rated at 10% prior to March 24, 2020, and at 20% thereafter. The claim for higher ratings is denied.
The deciding factor: Higher ratings are available but the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant them based on the evidence of record.
- Claimed conditions
- Chondromalacia patella, Patellar tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20047572
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20047572.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee patella tendon repairs, with painful motion, have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each. The instability in both knees has also been rated at 10 percent.
- Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability, including patellofemoral pain syndrome and patellar tendonitis, has been rated at 10 percent since June 6, 2022. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Granted
The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for his right knee disability from 40% to 10% effective October 1, 2019 was proper based on improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability was denied, and the claim for TDIU was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran's current level of functional impairment did not warrant a higher rating.
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